The Portland Winterhawks fell to the Red Deer Rebels this Friday by a score of 2-1. The loss halts Portland’s win streak at eight games in a row, all coming after their season-opening loss to Wenatchee. This was the second of nine straight road games for the Winterhawks, and the only time that Portland will play Red Deer this regular season.
Despite 23 total shots taken in the first period, it wouldn’t be until the second period that the scoring started. It was Portland who would jump on the offensive early in the period. On the power play, Marek Alscher would move down with the puck, and pass across to Diego Buttazzoni. Buttazzoni would then whip a shot toward the net, which was blocked by Red Deer’s goaltender, Kyle Kelsey. Kelsey had come well outside the crease to cut down the angle. However, the puck would rebound right to the middle where Kyle Chyzowski was positioned. Chyzowski would kick the puck to his stick, and shoot around a falling defenseman in front of the net. The powerplay would expire, but Portland would go up 1-0 with 17:39 left in the second period.
Then, at the halfway point of the game, the Rebels found their response. On the power play, Mats Lindgren would pass back to Kai Uchacz, looking to move through the neutral zone. Uchacz would pass over to Kalan Lind, who would move up to the center ice line. As the Winterhawks closed in on him, Lind would pass back to the middle where Uchacz was speeding towards. Uchacz entered the offensive zone and took a wrist shot from the high slot. Uchacz’s shot would stay low, but rise over the right leg of Portland netminder, Jan Špunar, to tie the game at 1-1.
However, the game-winning goal would come late in the second period. Red Deer’s power-play started with a faceoff with 5:16 remaining in the period. Off the draw, Carson Latimer would pass the puck back to the point for Mats Lindgren. Lindgren would step to his right, and fire a shot towards the net. Kalan Lind had moved in front of the net to act as a screen on Jan Špunar. Before the puck reached the net, Lind batted the puck down under the arm of Špunar, giving the Rebels a 2-1 lead.
Despite outshooting the Rebels 11-6, Portland couldn’t find an equalizer in the 3rd period. Red Deer would hold on to win 2-1, and the three stars of the game would go to Mats Lindgren, Kalan Lind, and Kai Uchacz.
Northwest Sports Desk 